Annual Report 2019 0
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Catholic Education Service Annual Report 2019 0 39 Eccleston Square, London, SW1V 1BX 1 Contents Foreword 3 From the Director 4 The CES Management Committee 5 About the CES 6 Catholic Education in 2019 8 Representing the Bishops 12 Supporting our Dioceses 16 Religious Education 20 Professional Formation 24 Political & Media Engagement 28 Digital engagement 32 Finance 35 2 Foreword I am delighted to present to you the 172nd Annual Report of the Catholic Education Service. The report outlines the essential work the CES has undertaken to represent the interests of the Catholic Church’s mission in education at a national and international level. Of significance in 2019, was the resolution passed by the Bishops of England and Wales at their Plenary Assembly in November for a new National Framework for the Canonical Inspection (and Statutory Inspection of Religious Education and Collective Worship) in Catholic Schools. Noteworthy too was the procurement of capital funding for the first new Catholic school since 2012. I wish to express my thanks to the CES staff for their hard work and dedication, and to all who work resolutely in our schools, colleges, universities and dioceses to ensure that Catholic education remains at the forefront of the Church's mission and in the service of the common good. I hope you find the Report informative and I pray that you will continue to support the CES in its mandate to promote Catholic education throughout our nation. The Rt Revd Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds Chairman of the Catholic Education Service 3 From the Director The Catholic Church remains the second largest provider of schools in England and Wales and the Catholic Education Service plays a vital role in representing the interests of Catholic education at a national level and providing support and advice for dioceses. In our Strategic Plan 2019-2021 the CES outlined its core aims. These aims were split into six areas: representing the bishops; supporting our dioceses; Religious Education; professional development; political and media engagement; and digital engagement. This Annual Report will look at the successes of the CES through the prism of these strategic objectives, thus taking a holistic view of the CES’s three principal workstreams: legal support; education policy; and public affairs. Catholic education in England and Wales is a collective achievement and I would like to pay tribute to all those who have contributed to its success. From CES employees, to diocesan education teams, to teachers, lecturers and support staff, to governors, and to the most important educators of all, parents, I would like to thank you for all your hard work in making Catholic education such a success. Paul Barber Director of the Catholic Education Service 4 The CES Management Committee The Rt Revd Marcus Stock The Most Revd Malcolm McMahon The Rt Revd Alan Williams Bishop of Leeds - Chair Archbishop of Liverpool Bishop of Brentwood The Rt Revd Terrance Drainey The Rt Revd David McGrough The Very Revd Canon Bishop of Middlesbrough Auxiliary Bishop of Birmingham John Weatherill Mrs Kate Griffin 5 6 Founded in 1847, the Catholic Education Service (CES) is the education agency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and works closely with the Bishops’ Conference Department for Education and Formation. It is a public juridic person in canon law governed in accordance with its own Statutes, which are ultimately approved by the Bishops’ Conference. Governance of the CES under the Statutes rests with the CES Management Committee, which consists of an episcopal Chairman, appointed by the Bishops of England and Wales, the episcopal members of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Catholic Education and Formation, and up to three additional members appointed by the Chairman. The Director, Paul Barber, the Assistant Director (Public Affairs), Marie Southall, and the General Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference, The Very Reverend Canon Christopher Thomas also attend meetings of the Management Committee. The Trustees of the CES are the Catholic Trust for England and Wales (CaTEW). The assets of the CES are held as a restricted fund within CaTEW for the work of the CES under its Statutes. The CES negotiates with the Westminster and Welsh Governments and other national bodies in order to safeguard and promote Catholic education. It also offers a Catholic contribution to the English and Welsh educational landscapes, seeking to ensure that the principles of Catholic teaching are reflected in all aspects of national education policy. 7 8 2,204 Catholic schools in England & Wales Educating over 850,000 pupils Employing more than 50,000 members of staff 9 Most ethnically diverse schools in the country With more pupils from the poorest households Achieving higher than average KS2 & GCSE results 10 In England and Wales Catholic schools make up 10% of the total publicly-funded sector of England and Wales and are an integral part of the voluntary aided and academy sector. This sector, which includes Anglican, Methodist and Jewish Schools as well as a few others, represents about one-third of State-funded provision in England and Wales. The Catholic Church also operates a series of higher and further education institutions including 15 stand-alone sixth form colleges and four universities. The Catholic community works closely with central Government and Local Authorities in the provision of education. State-supported Catholic schools and sixth-form colleges are funded jointly by the State and the Church. Most are owned by Diocesan Trustees, with a smaller number owned by the Trustees of a religious order or congregation. International The CES is a member of the European Committee for Catholic Education (CEEC) and is represented at its regular General Assembly. The CEEC is the European regional secretariat of the International Office for Catholic Education (OIEC) of which the CES was a founder member in 1952. OIEC provides permanent representation at various international bodies such as the Council of Europe and UNESCO and promotes regional cooperation through its regional secretariats. 11 12 Objectives of the CES The CES remains committed to representing the views of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales to both the UK and Welsh Governments as well as other agencies. Drawing on the assistance of colleagues and partners, the CES assists the Bishops’ Conference in the development of education policy. The CES also works closely with Catholic universities, to promote their Catholic identity and engage them on matters of policy that have an impact on Catholic education. Funding for New Voluntary Aided Schools Following the announcement of additional funding for new Voluntary Aided (VA) Catholic schools, the CES has worked closely with the DfE in the roll out of the first wave, specifically in relation to the application and delivery process. The Diocese of East Anglia put in an application for funding for three new schools, one of which was successful. This is the only successful bid that has so far been announced. Religious Education and Relationship and Sex Education in Wales The Welsh Government launched a consultation on proposed changes to the curriculum in Wales, including wholescale changes to RE and the removal of 13 the parental right of withdrawal for both RE and RSE. Upon the release of the consultation, The CES issued a robust statement in response to these proposals and co-ordinated a campaign to engage schools, parishes and families in responding to the consultation paper. Relationship and Sex Education in England The Government published the updated draft guidance and drafted regulations. The guidance is compatible with a Catholic approach to RSE and referenced the Catholic model RSE curriculum as best practice for both Catholic and non-Catholic schools. The CES subsequently worked with the DfE to secure funding for Catholic specific resources and training. Mater Ecclesiae College By a decree of the Congregation for Catholic Education, the Heythrop Faculties of Theology and Philosophy, also known as the Bellarmine Institute, were transferred from Heythrop College to St Mary’s University, and their dependence transferred from the Society of Jesus to the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The decree provided for the Archbishop of Westminster to once again be the Chancellor of the Athenaeum. Under the proposed new Statutes, the Faculties will be known as Mater Ecclesiae College with the new Governing Body consisting of the five Metropolitan Archbishops (or their nominees), the Rector, and two academics appointed by the episcopal members of the Governing Body. The CES provided vital legal and canonical support during this transition. 14 Higher Education The CES continues to work closely with Catholic universities and the Cathedrals Group. The CES provided a range of advice on the distinctive aspects of Catholic leadership during the appointment of new Vice- Chancellors for two of the Catholic universities. International Work The CES continues to play an active role in the various international organisations supporting Catholic Education. We have supported the General Secretary of OIEC in the re-establishing the organisation on a firm footing. During the OIEC General Assembly the Director of the CES was elected as President of OIEC until the next General Assembly in 2022/3. The CES also hosted the annual meeting of the Joint Committee for Catholic Education (JCCE), which was attended by the Scottish CES and representatives of the